Talks focused on increasing capacity in sustainable building materials and developing local manufacturing capabilities to supply strategic industries, stated industry minister Khaled Hashem.
The discussions also covered two projects by Saint-Gobain scheduled to begin production by September 2026.
The first is a speciality glass plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, with total investment of 175 million euros. The facility is expected to produce about 900 tonnes of glass per day, supplying the automotive and solar energy sectors and reducing imports by about $35 million a year.
The second project is a gypsum board plant in Sadat City, with an investment of 40 million euros. About 60 percent of its output is expected to be exported, with the project creating around 600 direct and indirect jobs.
The plans were discussed in a meeting between Hashem and Saint-Gobain Egypt chief executive Ahmed Wafik.
Saint-Gobain has invested about 500 million euros in Egypt, up from 250 million euros in 2009, and has operated in the country since 2006. The company operates eight plants producing construction materials, including glass, gypsum products, and insulation.
The group has previously outlined plans to invest 300 million euros over three years starting in 2023.
The expansion comes as Egypt seeks to increase private sector participation in investment and manufacturing. The private sector accounts for about 65 percent of total investment and secured around $2.9 billion (EGP 136.5 billion) in financing in 2025, with a target to reach 72 percent by 2030.
Authorities are also reviewing the National Industrial Strategy, which aims to boost production, attract foreign investment, and support export growth.
Egypt is targeting annual foreign direct investment of $24.6 billion and aims to increase non-oil exports by 15 to 20 percent a year, while raising manufacturing growth to 7.5 percent by 2030.
The projects also align with efforts to expand green manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, particularly in sectors such as automotive and construction materials.
Rising regional demand for building materials, driven by large-scale projects and tighter financing conditions, is expected to support exports but may also put pressure on supply chains and input costs.
Short link: